​The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a diverse group of plants and animals, including over 15 raptor species that can be found nesting in trees, cliffs, and even on the ground. With the spring season in full effect, the Conservancy has partnered with internationally acclaimed Raptor biologist Peter H. Bloom to locate and monitor raptor nests throughout the Landmarks while also documenting egg laying, incubation, hatching and fledging.

While many of the raptors spotted throughout Orange County are likely born and raised on the Landmarks, the Red-Tailed Hawk is the most abundant raptor species, mainly found in willows, oaks, eucalyptus, sycamores, cliffs and power towers. Other raptor species and nesters on the Landmarks include the Cooper’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, Red-Shouldered Hawk and more.

IRC volunteers help inspire the community and keep the Landmarks beautiful

Irvine Ranch Conservancy takes pride in its mission of ensuring the protection of the historical landmarks that stretch from the mountains to the coast. With nearly 40,000 acres at hand, the success and maintenance of the Landmarks would not be possible without the generous support from the public.

In honor of National Volunteer Week from April 7-13, Irvine Ranch Conservancy would like to recognize the efforts of several exceptional volunteers who work diligently to create remarkable experiences and activities throughout the Landmarks.

OC Parks Weir Canyon Nature Preserve contains an abundance of rare habitats and wildlife, including one of the largest intact coast live oak woodlands in Orange County, making it one of the most ecologically important areas on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This area is admired year-round by hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts alike. But this sanctuary is also under threat. ​The Gold Spotted Oak Borer Beetle, or GSOB for short, is an invasive tree pest that has been documented within Weir Canyon. Native to southeastern Arizona, it is thought that the beetle first traveled to southern California through infested firewood. This tiny beetle disrupts and depletes the ability of trees to take up nutrients by laying its eggs on the bark of the trees. The larvae then burrow beneath the bark to feed, and eventually kill the tree.

What do food, wildflowers, and modern medicine have in common? They all rely, to varying degrees, on pollinators for their success. Pollinators are an essential part of the ecosystems in Orange County. In addition to pollinating locally grown crops like avocados, oranges and strawberries, they are necessary for the reproduction of almost all the wildflowers that are on display this Spring on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Pollinators are estimated to be responsible for at least a third of human food production and are crucial to the survival of flowering plants all over the world.​Mary Nolan, a volunteer with Irvine Ranch Conservancy since 2015, leads programs at the Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm to teach the public more about pollination. Mary explains that the work of pollination is shared by bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, bats, birds and even the wind! Mary says pollination occurs when its practitioners “visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen and transport pollen grains as they move from spot to spot.” This ensures proliferation of the species. While pollination is often a byproduct of an animal’s natural feeding behavior on a flower, it is an incredibly important process that affects the entire food chain.

Gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer) are found in many different parts of North America, ranging from deserts, wide-open grasslands, and coastal areas. They are so named for their taste for gophers and other small mammals and play an important role in rodent population control. Adults range from 3-8 feet in length and typically live from 12-15 years. Thankfully, gopher snakes are not a threatened species and maintain strong numbers across California.